In a dramatic twist in international cricket, Pakistan’s government has announced a boycott of their upcoming World Cup clash against India on February 15, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keeping the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the dark. Sources reveal that despite the bold public statement on social media, PCB has no plans to formally notify ICC, maintaining an air of suspense over their next moves.
The decision stems from high-level consultations in Lahore, where former PCB chief Najam Sethi advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take a firm stand against India. Sethi, who led PCB during a similar 2016 agreement fallout with India, urged aggressive action. This comes as Sharif’s administration greenlit Pakistan’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting February 7, but explicitly ruled out playing India.
Telecom Asia Sports reports that PCB views the government’s social media declaration as sufficient official notice, eliminating the need for a formal letter to ICC. Insiders quote, ‘Since it’s a government decision announced on official platforms, there’s no requirement to write to ICC.’ This strategy is seen as an attempt to keep options open and avoid immediate repercussions.
ICC has already issued stern warnings to PCB, emphasizing that selective participation won’t be tolerated and could lead to severe consequences. Financial stakes are enormous; skipping the high-profile India-Pakistan match would devastate official broadcasters, likely prompting legal battles in court.
Pakistan, however, appears unfazed, having sought legal counsel on potential fallout. The government pledges full backing to PCB against any ICC rulings. As tensions simmer, cricket fans worldwide await whether diplomacy or defiance will prevail in this geopolitical showdown on the field.